Online Math Tools for Students

December 8, 2020 

Students take mathematics classes from the time they begin elementary school through their general education courses in college, if not longer. If students need additional math instruction, it is essential for them to receive help, whether through tutoring or other resources. Math tools offered through a variety of online resources can be particularly helpful.

A student watches an online algebra tutorial on a tablet.

With schools continuing to offer online instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, online math tools may be even more important. Different tools are designed for students at various ages and stages in their education.

Online math tools cover a range of subjects and are designed to meet the unique needs of students who struggle with mathematics, are overcoming other learning challenges such as ADHD or a learning disability, or just need a little extra help.

Online Math Tools for Students in College

Students at junior colleges, colleges, and universities all take some form of mathematics courses during their schooling. Many take several, devoting a significant portion of their academic journey to the study of math.

Whether taking math as a part of a college major or minor or to fulfill general education requirements, the following online resources can help.

Interactive Online Math Tools

Desmos offers a variety of interactive online math tools for college students. Each tool can help students practically work through their math problems.

MathFortress.com offers a variety of math tutorials for college students.

  • Subjects: com offers tutorials on subject areas such as algebra I, geometry, algebra II, pre-calculus, calculus I, calculus II, calculus III, linear algebra, differential equations, and GRE prep.
  • Intended learning levels: com offers content for college students at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Cost: Resources and online math tools for students are free, although students can purchase access to videos without advertisements for $10.

Wolfram|Alpha can help students with their college homework, allowing them to work through diverse topics and mathematical problems.

  • Subjects: Students can get help with algebra, calculus and analysis, geometry, plotting and graphics, differential equations, trigonometry, linear algebra, number theory, mathematical functions, statistics, probability, and more.
  • Intended learning levels: Wolfram|Alpha offers tools for college students at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Cost: Students can use a free account by creating a login. They can upgrade by paying $4.75 per month to get enhanced features that provide step-by-step solutions or $7.99 per month for access to all features.

Downloadable Math Applications

College students can download the following math application to help them better understand different mathematical concepts:

  • ‎Math Ref This app provides tools such as a unit converter, quadratic solver, and triangle solver to help students with a wide range of math calculations, with a cost of $1.99.
  • ‎iMathematics™ Pro This app provides students with clear explanations of solutions for over 70 math topics by using the Advanced Calculator, the Fraction Approximator, and the Equation Solver. The app costs $2.99.
  • MyScript Calculator This app allows students to write out math equations by hand and provides a result immediately. Students can transfer their solutions and view their full history later. The app costs $2.99.

Additional Resources for College Math Students

Dyscalculia.org offers a handful of further college resources.

Varsity Tutors offers one-on-one interaction with a tutor to help college math students improve their math skills.

Online Math Tools for Students in High School

Taking math courses throughout high school is required, so students who struggle with mathematics may have difficulty. While some high school students may be able to receive additional help from their math teachers, others may need online resources and math tools.

Interactive Online Math Tools

GeoGebra offers over 1,700 online resources for high school students to practice math concepts and prepare for tests.

  • Subjects: GeoGebra’s offerings include activities for algebra I, geometry, functions, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics. 
  • Intended learning levels: GeoGebra offers resources for high school students at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Cost: GeoGebra is free.

PhET offers 42 interactive tools to help students master high school math concepts.

  • Subjects: PhET’s tools cover introductory topics such as computing area, managing fractions, and graphing equations through advanced subjects like curve fitting, calculus graphing, and building functions.
  • Intended learning levels: PhET offers resources for high school students at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Cost: PhET is free.

Virtual Nerd provides high-quality, easy-to-follow video tutorials on a wide variety of math concepts.

  • Subjects: Virtual Nerd’s videos present key concepts in depth, covering pre-algebra, algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2.
  • Intended learning levels: Virtual Nerd offers videos for high school students at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. 
  • Cost: Virtual Nerd is free.

Downloadable Math Applications

High school students can download the following free math applications to help them better understand different mathematical concepts:

  • Big Simple Talking Calculator This app provides students with a full-screen, intuitive tool that they can interact with as they solve calculations and math equations.
  • National Library of Virtual Manipulatives This app allows students in grades 9-12 to choose from a variety of virtual manipulatives covering topics such as numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability.
  • Photomath — Scan. Solve. Learn. This app allows students to use the cameras on their mobile devices to scan, read, and help solve mathematical problems.
  • Shapes 3D This app helps high school students gain a better understanding of geography concepts as they work with three-dimensional shapes and objects.

Resources for High School Math Students

Online Math Tools for Students in Middle School

Establishing a strong foundation in math during middle school is key to succeeding in higher education. While some middle school students may receive additional help from their math teachers, others may need to consider online resources.

Interactive Online Math Tools

Buzzmath is targeted toward helping middle school students develop and strengthen their math skills. 

  • Subjects: Buzzmath offers problems for sixth grade students covering arithmetic to algebraic expressions, surface area and volume, multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions, and much more.
  • Seventh grade students can practice skills related to properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions; real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume; and more.
  • Tools for eighth graders build upon previous skills, working on radicals and integer exponents; proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations; functions; the Pythagorean theorem; and more.
  • Intended learning levels: Middle school students at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Cost: After a free trial, students interested in continuing pay a monthly subscription fee.

Math Is Fun offers online tools and resources, games, puzzles, and activities for students in middle school.

  • Subjects: Math Is Fun provides resources in fields including geometry, numbers, money, algebra, calculus, and measurement; it also includes a math index and a math dictionary.
  • Intended learning levels: Math Is Fun covers middle school students at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Cost: Math Is Fun is a free tool.

Downloadable Math Applications

Middle school students can download the following math applications to help them practice different mathematical concepts:

  • ‎MathBoard TV This app helps middle school students work through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems in a variety of ways, while not relying on the same answer style. It costs $4.99.
  • ‎Brainscape — Smart Flashcards This app is free and allows students to test their knowledge of math problems or equations through flashcard repetition when they are preparing for quizzes and tests.
  • Geometry Pad Middle school students beginning to develop a foundation in geometry can use this free app to create basic geometrical shapes and calculate the metrics of the shapes.

Resources for Middle School Math Students

  • Teach.com provides a wide variety of math apps for middle school students.
  • Common Sense Education provides an extensive collection of simple utilities and tools that can help middle school students with math.
  • Prodigy offers a list of 14 websites that can help students receive the math assistance they need to succeed in middle school.

Online Math Tools for Students with Special Needs 

While students may be able to quickly learn and understand other subjects, some have difficulty with mathematics. Since math is a cumulative discipline, each lesson builds on the previous one. If students don’t understand the concepts presented in their first few math classes, they may be lost and confused throughout the entire school year.

In particular, students with special needs may require extra help or specific accommodation throughout their academic careers.

Interactive Online Math Tools

Students who struggle with math or who have special needs can use the following resources and online math tools for students:

Dyscalculia.org offers academic tutoring and advising services for K-12 students with math learning disabilities. Students can be tested for learning disabilities to identify how their teachers and parents can better assist them.

  • Subjects: The website covers MLD+ADHD, math anxiety, math dyslexia, math therapy, number sense, home strategies, and school accommodation.
  • Intended learning levels: org covers students in K-12 school settings.
  • Cost: Math therapy worksheets are free, and parents can pay for services from phone consultations to IEP preparation.

FX Draw is software that students with learning or physical disabilities can use to better understand and express mathematical concepts.

  • Subjects: The site allows students to draw out equations so they can visualize math problems. Tools include math notation, a graphing calculator, and a drawing tool for 3D plots.
  • Intended learning levels: Students in K-12 school settings
  • Cost: Free to all students whose disabilities make math materials difficult to produce.

Downloadable Math Applications

These downloadable math applications can be particularly helpful for students who struggle with mathematics:

  • ‎ModMath –  This free app is designed to help students who struggle with mathematical notation. The app allows students to write out and solve math problems ranging from basic to algebraic equations.
  • Dexteria Dots 2: Fine Motor For students who are struggling with their motor skills and mathematics, this app offers a unique approach to helping students identify numbers, colors, and sizes. The app costs $2.99.

Resources and Online Math Tools

  • Math Geek Mama provides a collection of free online math manipulatives for students with math learning disabilities who are participating in at-home learning.
  • Understood.org helps parents understand what assistive technology is and how it can help their children with learning disabilities.

How Online Tools Open the World of Mathematics to Students

Every student has unique academic strengths and interests. Regardless of what they are passionate about, however, a strong foundation in mathematics is crucial, from elementary school through college.

Students who need more than what their teachers and professors can offer can benefit from an array of online resources. Online math tools can open the world of mathematics to students who may be struggling, providing an additional layer of support.

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